Now essentially an honorary Australian resident, Detroit legend Dewan Sewell, A.K.A. Danny Brown is back in town touring as part of Groovin’ the Moo festival this April and May. Operating his own a totally individual zone, Brown’s genre defying sounds have made him a hip hop favourite and modern day icon.
Handpicked by Danny to join him on the road in support of his Aussie visit, fellow Detroit, rapper and visual artist ZelooperZ is one name hip hop fans should be getting pretty familiar with.
ZelooperZ recently dropped his album Bothic on Danny Brown’s Bruiser Brigade Records. Completely unhinged, and wild with manic energy, Bothic is the sound of the young MC pushing the boundaries of modern hip hop can be.
Ahead of Danny’s Aussie visit (which kicks off tonight in Brisbane) we caught up with the Brown affiliate and Bruiser Brigade member to get to know this fascinating artist a little better.
Who Is Zelooperz?
I’m from Detroit Michigan I’m a visual artist and musician I grew up on the west side of Detroit I moved around the city a lot and I guess you can say that influenced my music in a way.
My mom hustled to to take care of me and my siblings so it’s in my blood to be a hustler coming from Detroit you gotta be the best you you can be its all about being original if you want to stand out.
Greatest influences
I like E-40 and and Missy Elliot. I formed my rap style a lil’ and Danny [Brown] showed me other types of music and categorize the genres I was listening to to help form my sound today.
Danny is a true rock star who doesn’t give a fuck but at the same time he is one of the best lyricist out here so put the two together.
I get most of my word play from older cats like E-40 and Wayne but Danny gave me the experimental vibe that took my music to where I want it to be its all about creating something new.
Teaming Up With Danny Brown
Me and Danny almost the same person he just older and was born in a different generation. When I sent my music to him via Twitter is when we first started working together in 2011
Danny seen this game upside down three changes in the game and has been and always been the hip hop games. He’s a mastermind.
Other than he taught me how to be a man and take of family first he big on that and I could have a better teacher going they life with out a father figure to look up to Danny plays a good role with mentoring me through life as well as the game.
On Being A Visual Artist As Well As A Rapper
I sell a lot of art via the Internet but it infuses itself when I’m in the booth. I express the the stunts I pull after making each flip off a painting and vice versa.
I love painting musicians’ kids that let me know their favourite artist – painting their favourite artist is icy as hell to me.
Everything is art but I prefer both visual art ‘n music – it’s very hard to decide considering I’m in love with both my artforms, they will always be an extension of me.
Recent Musical Evolution: From 2014’s HELP to 2016’s Bothic LP
Life is evolution I had to live my life and understand my self and exams existence. I remember I was recording after I released HELP, I had at least 100 new songs and Brown told me I was burnt out because I wasn’t living my life I was stuck in the studio, so I had to take time to study my craft and live my life.
After that break I went back in and created something more fitting for what I was going through at the time in my life. I established a name for myself in the art realm so the album is composed of trap art and melodies.
The album is way more conscious because I took my time to make sure my already once tooken for unorthodox style had to be broken down in a way for my people to understand me more and paint a vivid picture
Aussie Tour Plans
My plans are to kill every stage I touch and yes I will be going crazy alongside of my big brother Danny brizzle.
Photos taken from Zelooperz’s Facebook page.
Danny Brown Tour Dates
With ZelooperZ
April 22 | Tivoli, Brisbane
April 26 | 170 Russell, Melbourne
May 3 | Metro theatre, Sydney
May 8 | Metro City, Perth
Tickets at www.livenation.com.au
